PPA to Launch School-Zone Speed Cameras with 60-Day Warning Period to Begin February 17th – Full Enforcement Starts April 20th
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) today announced the launch of its school zone speed camera enforcement pilot program across five designated zones. A 60-day warning period begins on February 17, with full enforcement scheduled for April 20.
Tickets will only be issued when flashers are active during morning and afternoon school hours. Cameras will not operate on holidays. The initiative aims to reduce traffic speeds and crashes to protect schoolchildren by deterring dangerous driving behaviors.
“Our school zone speed camera program is about public safety and changing dangerous driving behavior,” said PPA Executive Director Rich Lazer. “Our emphasis is on saving lives and protecting children. We have seen dramatic results with similar technology along Roosevelt Boulevard, resulting in a 95% reduction in speeding and a 50% reduction in pedestrian-involved crashes.”
Legislation renewing and expanding Philadelphia’s automated speed enforcement program was sponsored by Philadelphia City Councilman Isaiah Thomas. This new law authorizes a pilot program in up to five designated school zones simultaneously.
“Every student deserves a safe trip to school. In a city where 4 children are hit by a driver while walking each week, we must make bold moves to bolster traffic safety on dangerous roads around our school buildings. As chair of Council’s Education Committee, the expansion of the city’s successful automated enforcement program to school corridors is an exciting development that will help keep students, families, and school staff safe. I was proud to get this legislation passed and am grateful to the experts at OTIS and the PPA for their hard work getting this program operational,” said Councilman Thomas
The PPA has partnered with the City of Philadelphia and the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems on the school zone speed camera enforcement program, as well as the life-saving red light and speed enforcement camera programs — active at several critical locations throughout the city. Violations will not result in points against a driver’s license.
“We have tried many traffic calming methods to stop people from driving dangerously fast in school zones, but many drivers still speed,” said Michael A. Carroll, City of Philadelphia Deputy Managing Director of OTIS. “We must ensure that students walking to school and home are safe, as well as the crossing guards who often put their lives at risk to get drivers to slow down. Speeding is the number one cause of fatal crashes, that’s why slowing down drivers is a top priority for our Vision Zero program.”
The five high-priority zones were selected based on crash data from 2019–2023, which recorded 10 fatal or serious-injury crashes and 25 pedestrian crashes across these locations.
School Zone Enforcement Camera Locations:
John B. Stetson Middle School: E. Allegheny Ave. (A to B Streets)
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5 serious injury crashes
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4 pedestrian crashes
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1 speeding-related crash
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2 crashes resulted in serious pedestrian injuries: one from 2021 and one from 2022.
KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School: N. 16th St. (Cumberland to Huntingdon)
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1 serious injury crash
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9 pedestrian crashes
Widener Memorial School: W. Olney Ave. (N. Broad to N. 16th)
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1 fatal crash
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5 pedestrian crashes
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1 speeding-related crash
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The fatal crash occurred in March 2023 at 11 AM. It was a pedestrian fatality crash at the Broad/Olney intersection.
High School of the Future: W. Girard Ave. (N. 39th to N. 40th)
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2 serious injury crashes
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3 pedestrian crashes
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3 speeding related crash
William L. Sayre High School: Walnut St. (S. 58th to S. 59th)
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1 serious injury crash
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4 pedestrian crashes